| Autism refers to a brain disorder, which typically | | | | program where toddlers receive a lot of positive |
| affects a child's ability to communicate, form | | | | reinforcement. Activities begin from simple actions |
| relationships, and respond appropriately to the | | | | (identifying colors) and progress to more |
| environment. While some people suffering from | | | | advanced activities (language). ABA depends on |
| Autism are relatively high functioning, there are | | | | prompting, positive reinforcement, and differential |
| others who are mentally retarded, have serious | | | | reinforcement. |
| language delays, or are mute. | | | | Nutritional Therapy |
| The actual cause of Autism is not known. But | | | | This therapy is based on the surmise that certain |
| Autism is relatively easy to spot, and children as | | | | ingredients in food can have a damaging effect on |
| young as 18 months start showing symptoms. It | | | | the brain of an autistic person. Leaving some |
| is futile to believe that children will just grow out | | | | substances out of the diet (milk and gluten, for |
| of it. In fact, the early years provide the best | | | | instance) have shown startling positive changes in |
| time for progress and improvement. So, intensive | | | | patients. Additionally, vitamin-B12 and magnesium |
| therapy should begin as early as possible. While | | | | supplements are administered to cover any |
| different children suffering from Autism may have | | | | deficiencies. These kinds of special diets curtail |
| different problems, parents of such children have | | | | some of the more distressing symptoms like |
| to face one overwhelming challenge - there is no | | | | disruptive outbursts, restlessness, and sleeping |
| single agreed upon method for treating this | | | | disorders. |
| condition. Parents, researchers, and doctors have | | | | Anti-fungal Treatment |
| not been able to reach common ground here. | | | | Since autistic children often suffer from poor |
| Autism treatment usually consists of a | | | | bowel ecology, overgrowth of fungi and microbes |
| combination of behavioral therapy, language and | | | | is a problem. Therefore, autistic children respond |
| speech therapy, and special education in schools. | | | | well to anti-fungal treatments. These children are |
| Reports suggest that play-based behavioral | | | | also found to have high concentrations of yeast |
| therapies and alternative treatments involving | | | | and anaerobic bacteria. Evidence suggests that |
| dietary restrictions and vitamin supplements are | | | | Candida Albicans, a form of yeast, may cause |
| beneficial. But, there is no solid proof to support | | | | Autism and may also exacerbate the behavioral |
| this. What makes matters worse is that many | | | | and health problems found in autistic children. |
| children are beset with additional problems like | | | | A detoxification treatment called Chelation |
| sleeping difficulties, anxiety, or gastrointestinal | | | | Therapy is slowly gaining popularity among |
| problems. | | | | doctors. This treatment is based on the theory |
| ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) | | | | that some children's vaccines are exceptionally |
| This is often referred to as the Intensive | | | | high in heavy metals like mercury preservatives, |
| Behavioral Intervention (though there are | | | | and this causes autism. |
| differences between the two). Studies show that | | | | It is because of the vast multitude of therapies |
| children suffering from Autism can make dramatic | | | | that many desperate parents opt for combination |
| progress when they receive this kind of | | | | treatments. An estimated 30% of parents try |
| instruction. Parents and doctors mostly accept this | | | | special diets, non-traditional methods, or vitamin |
| treatment because this is one of the most | | | | treatments. Music, vision therapy treatments, |
| researched of all treatments. This program | | | | yoga and horseback riding are also used to treat |
| involves intensive one-to-one interaction between | | | | autism. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict |
| the child and the teacher. Each skill is broken down | | | | which children will benefit from a program or |
| into sub-skills and each of these sub-skills is taught | | | | whether there is light at the end of that particular |
| intensely, one at a time. It is a reward-based | | | | tunnel at all. |